Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. statement, July 29, 1999

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 2 1 093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 205 1 5 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Jill Homan July 29, 1999 202/225-3061 Statement from Congressman Ehrlich regarding the Public Broadcasting System: “Thirty years ago, when only three commercial television networks dominated the airways, Congress established the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (СРВ) which, in turn, created the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The advent of the Internet and the addition of countless cable and satellite programming choices, including well produced, substantiative educational and cultural shows, has shown that PBS has outlived the need for a federal subsidy. Further, many Americans enjoy PBS programs. The success of these shows, however, has diminished the need for our tax dollars. Popular PBS programs, such as Sesame Street, Barney and Friends, and Teletubbies, have commercial value which obviously could generate much revenue from the private sector. Finally, the public admission by some PBS stations to have swapped donor lists with the Democratic National Committee and many “way-left” groups is outrageous. This confirms PBS is no longer the non-partisan organization it has claimed to be. Moreover, this list swapping may prove to be a violation of federal tax laws. Given this recent history and the proliferation of alternative broadcasting, I look forward to the Commerce Committee’s scrutiny of future authorization of public funds. In my view, the federal government has paid for much of the PBS infrastructure. Now is the time to wean PBS off its tax dollar addiction.”